This is not a wholesale blog. Nor does this have anything to do with , seo, sales tips or advertising. This is a blog about how I decided to change our company culture yesterday morning while having having breakfast in Chicago awaiting to hear a seminar at the Search Engine Strategies Show.

During my breakfast, I was reading the USA Today. I’m sure you all know this is very big national newspaper that focuses on mainly national and international news. I was sipping my coffee, and a headline struck my eyes “Pop Warner player tackles bone cancer” . This was a stroy about 13 year old Trey Jordan, from Kansas City, MO , who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in May. Since May, Trey has been going through chemotherapy and had to under go surgery to have a prosthetic knee and titanium rod inserted in his right leg.

As I was reading this story, I felt as if Trey were starring me in the face. I had an overwhelming feeling of sadness overcome me and a numbing sensation that will forever change the way I, and JP Communications gets involved and utilize our resources and values for others.

We had planned on giving all of our customers holiday gifts and recognition. As a standard corporate practice, this is an act widely accepted as customers expect to be appreciated and thought of. Well, with in seconds of reading about Trey Jordan, I knew what had to be done. Gifts and cards for customers were instantly cancelled. A decision to allocate the resources for customer gifts was going to be used to help Trey and his family. JPC, and on behalf of all of our customers who make it possible to give, needed to go a different direction.

I contacted the editor of the story , Christopher Lawlor. He was kind of enough to spend some time with me and give a back ground of Trey’s story. After speaking with Chris, I placed a call to Bob Collins and Trey’s mother, Chanda. Chanda, a single mother of two, told me an amazing story of Trey’s passion, courage, and will to fight. Chanda was recently a contractor for Sprint, working 40 + hours a week, almost 75% finished with her initial contracting period to become a full time employee. Chanda made a decision to spend time with her son while he underwent chemo, and Sprint made a decision to end their contract with her. I wont say anymore on that; I’ll let you be judge of that. Bob is Trey’s coach, and father of seven. Bob is with Trey’s team right now in FL at he Pop Warner Super bowl and those young have been playing their hearts out for Trey, who is undergoing chemo as I write this. Below is the text from the USA today story that Chris wrote:
“Trey Jordan exudes inspiration. He has become a touchstone for his Park Hill Panthers junior midget football teammates.

Jordan, 13, wishes he could suit up at the Pop Warner Bowl this week. Instead, he continues chemotherapy after being diagnosed May 1 with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

Jordan, who played the previous four seasons as a defensive tackle and tight end, attended three games this fall, donning his No. 73 jersey as the honorary captain.

“He never gives up,” Panthers coach Bob Collins says. “That’s what Trey is about on and off the field.”

According to medical website kidshealth.org, osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. In most cases, it affects male teens during growth spurts.

Jordan, from Kansas City, Mo., first felt pain in his right knee last spring, and within weeks of the diagnosis he began chemotherapy. In August, he had limb salvage surgery, when a prosthetic knee and titanium rod were inserted in his right leg.

Jordan’s inner strength is fueled by an indomitable spirit: “My goal is to play next season.” He currently walks with crutches.

The Pop Warner Super Bowl is an annual week-long event held in December at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The event consists of 64 teams from eight regions playing in four age-weight classifications — Junior Peewee, Peewee, Junior Midget and Midget.

Park Hill (13-2) lost Tuesday afternoon in the Division II junior midget national semifinals against the Waterbury (Conn.) Patriots 35-8. Friday’s third-place game will conclude the postseason run. ”

I realize that it is up to us, and corporate America, to lead and show others how to be involved and make a difference. It is my believe that making a difference starts individually. Being involved, locally, nationally, and globally and helping individuals will shape the way they in turn act towards others. This holiday season, instead of being so concerned about the gift you are getting, or the amount of gifts that you must buy for others, or the new upgrades in your kitchen…..Think about giving back, and letting someone know you care. That’s a gift that truly will keep giving.

Happy Holidays,

Jason

Chanda, Trey and Jayda: I hope to see you all in San Diego soon. Trey, your an inspiration. You and your family will always be in our prayers. Merry Christmas.

Chris and USA Today: Thank you. Thank you for providing me and JP Communications the information that will forever make a difference in our culture.